Bone marrow extracellular matrix (BM-ECM)

The bone marrow extracellular matrix (BM-ECM) is a complex, non-cellular scaffold composed of fibrous proteins, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans that forms a critical component of the hematopoietic stem cell niche (PMID: 31611161). It provides not only structural integrity to the marrow but also serves as a reservoir for growth factors and cytokines, actively regulating the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic and mesenchymal cells (PMID: 28811337). In pathological states such as leukemia and multiple myeloma, the BM-ECM undergoes significant remodeling, creating a protective environment that facilitates tumor cell survival and confers resistance to conventional chemotherapy, a phenomenon known as cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR) (PMID: 25633924). Therapeutic strategies targeting the BM-ECM often focus on disrupting the physical and chemical interactions between malignant cells and the matrix to sensitize them to treatment or to mobilize stem cells into the peripheral blood. Key components like CXCL12, fibronectin, and various collagens are central to these interactions, making the BM-ECM a focal point for developing niche-disrupting agents and anti-fibrotic therapies (PMID: 30249033).

Other names

Bone marrow nicheHematopoietic stem cell nicheBM-ECMMarrow stroma

Modulation of the hematopoietic niche to induce stem cell mobilization, disrupt cell-adhesion-mediated drug resistance, or inhibit pathological fibrosis.